WENDELIN PROCEK

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WENDELIN PROCEK After an accident followed by a brief illness, it is with deepest sorrow the family announces the peaceful passing of our beloved and cherished father Wendelin Procek, with family by his side, on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at Seven Oaks Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the age of 88 years. Left to mourn Wendelin's passing are the love of his life, Elsie Bell; children Theresa Rideout (Wayne), Krystyna Brok, Dorothy Andrushak (Gordon), and Donna Kosowski; grandchildren Dylan, Louise, Elissa, Anna, William, Dallas, Bryce, Thomas, Karen, Jennifer, and Michael; great-grandchild Tyler; niece Maria, and her husband Jarek Karpowicz. He was predeceased by his brother, Henryk Procek; as well as father and mother Zofia and Makary Procek (Prockowski). Dad was born in Zawada, Poland. Son of a coal miner and youngest child, he was close to his mother and vied for her love and affection. At the young age of 17, Dad was sequester to the German army where he was to report or face imprisonment. Struggling with this, he ultimately left from his post and after being captured and tortured, he was rescued by the allies and joined the British military. While in the military, Dad trained and apprenticed as a mechanic and after the war ended, he was given five Shillings, a new pair of shoes, a shirt, and pants and was discharged where he remained homeless, sleeping on park benches until securing employment in a candy factory. Dad made the decision to immigrate to Canada and was placed in Montreal, Quebec. Proving to find learning a new language again difficult, he travelled westward, deciding to settle in Winnipeg, Manitoba, because as he stated, he heard there were numerous lovely young ladies to meet and marry in Winnipeg. This is where Dad married, started his family and secured his career in mechanics. After battling extremely difficult times emotionally and physically, Dad met the love of his life and partner Elsie, retired, and travelled the country he loved so much; Canada, second only to Poland. One of Dad's common statements to his girls who he loved dearly was, "food, shelter, and clothing is what I didn't have and that I always tried to provide", and "a fathers wish for his children is to do better than he, I'm so proud of my girls". Dad loved camping, photography, coin collecting, home movie production, learning new computer technology, cooking soups, cats, and imparted this love to his girls, and was at one time, part of Polish Canadian Legion, the Knights of Columbus, and participated in The Polish Czas. In accordance with, and with great and utmost respect and to honour our father, no formal Funeral Service will be held. A private family gathering will take place at a later date to honour and celebrate his life and to love and support one another. Those wishing to offer condolences may do so by accessing the Wojcik's Funeral Chapel's website at www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com Wojcik's Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 1020 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB 204.586.8668, in care of arrangements. wojciksfuneralchapel.com "Love one another." "....the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 03, 2015